Course Syllabus

CDS 101/110 provides an introduction to feedback and control in physical,
biological, engineering, and information sciences. Basic principles of
feedback and its use as a tool for altering the dynamics of systems and
managing uncertainty. Key themes throughout the course will include
input/output response, modeling and model reduction, linear versus nonlinear
models, and local versus global behavior. The course has several variants:

CDS 101 is a 6 unit (2-0-4) class intended for advanced students in science and engineering who are interested in the principles and tools of feedback control, but not the analytical techniques for design and synthesis of control systems.

CDS 110 is a 12 unit class (3-0-9) that provides a traditional first course in control for engineers and applied scientists. It assumes a stronger mathematical background, including working knowledge of linear algebra and ODEs. Familiarity with complex variables (Laplace transforms, residue theory) is helpful but not required.

CDS 210 is a special section of CDS 110, that will be an advanced version of the course for CDS graduate students and others interested in a more theoretical approach to the material. CDS 210 will have an additional Friday lecture and a separate set of homework sets.

Lectures and Recitations

The main course lectures are on MW from 2--3 pm in 74 Jorgansen. CDS 101 students are not required to attend the Wednesday lectures, although they are welcome to do so. In addition to the main lectures, a series of problem solving (recitation) sessions are run by the course teaching assistants and given on Fridays from 2--3 p m. The recitation session locations will be determined in the first week of classes and will be posted on the course web page.

The TAs will hold office hours on Fridays from 4-5 pm and Sundays from 4-6 pm in 114 Steele
(CDS library).

Grading

The final grade will be based on homework sets, a midterm exam, and a final exam:

Homework (50%): Homework sets will be handed out weekly and due on Mondays by 5 pm to the box outside of 109 Steele. Students are allowed three grace periods of two days each that can be used at any time (but no more than 1 grace period per homework set). Late homework beyond the grace period will not be accepted without a note from the health center or the Dean. MATLAB code and SIMULINK diagrams are considered part of your solution and should be printed and turned in with the problem set (whether the problem asks for it or not).

Midterm exam (20%): A midterm exam will be handed out at the beginning of midterms period (29 Oct) and due at the end of the midterm examination period (4 Nov). The midterm exam will be open book and computers will be allowed (though not required).

Final exam (30%): The final exam will be handed out on the last day of class (5 Dec) and due at the end of finals week. It will be an open book exam and computers will be allowed (though not required).

Collaboration Policy

Collaboration on homework assignments is encouraged. You may consult
outside reference materials, other students, the TA, or the
instructor, but you cannot consult homework solutions from
prior years and you must cite any use of material from outside
references. All solutions that are handed in should be written up
individually and should reflect your own understanding of the subject
matter at the time of writing. MATLAB scripts and plots are
considered part of your writeup and should be done individually (you
can share ideas, but not code).

No collaboration is allowed on the midterm or final exams.

Software

Computer exercises will be assigned as part of the regular homeworks. The
exercises are designed to be done in MATLAB, using the Control Toolbox and
SIMULINK. Caltech has a site license for this software and it may be obtained
from IMSS (Caltech students only). An online tutorial is available at